A delivery vehicle is parked at a Coupang logistics center in Seoul. According to the retail industry, reports have been mounting online of login attempts, smishing attacks, and other incidents following the “Coupang data leak” episode. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s National Human Rights Commission said on Friday that Coupang, the country’s largest e-commerce platform, has refused to comply with its recommendation to broaden the hiring of foreign delivery workers, adding to scrutiny already facing the company over a recent personal data leak.
The commission said it decided to publicly disclose Coupang’s noncompliance after the company declined to change its hiring practices, despite a finding that it had engaged in discriminatory conduct.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by a foreign national who applied to work as a delivery driver in 2022 but was rejected on the day of a driving test solely because of his nationality. Coupang argued that foreign workers could face communication barriers, lack familiarity with local geography and pose concerns about protecting jobs for Korean citizens.
The commission rejected those arguments, ruling that the exclusion constituted discrimination. It noted that delivery work is largely non-face-to-face, does not require advanced Korean-language skills, and that all delivery drivers must hold a valid South Korean driver’s license, making the job fully accessible to foreign workers. It also said that prioritizing domestic employment does not justify barring foreigners from job opportunities at the outset.
Coupang’s logistics subsidiary informed the commission that it had no plans to implement the recommendation. While the company does employ some foreign workers, it has no intention of significantly expanding their recruitment, the commission said.
Citing the refusal, the National Human Rights Commission said it had concluded that Coupang failed to accept its recommendation and decided to make the case public.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
